Spatio-temporal integration & optic flow quality: unpacking factors that influence driving performance

Abstract

Research has shown that optic flow plays an important role in self-motion, such as walking or driving. Further, research has demonstrated that spatial, temporal, and qualitative aspects of optic flow have an effect on motion perception. In the current study we investigated how spatial, temporal, and qualitative aspects of optic flow interact in motion perception. We examined how optic flow quantity (spatial) and lifetime (temporal) affect the detection a 2D shape in motion. The task for the participants was to identify a 2D shape from kinetic occlusion. The contrast threshold of optic flow was measured while optic flow quantity and lifetime were manipulated. The results show a stronger effect of temporal integration than spatial integration on 2D shape perception in motion